Coventry is set to welcome a world-famous choir this July – bringing international sounds to the city’s Assembly Festival Garden.
The Soweto Gospel Choir, which won the Grammy for Best World Music Album for their album Freedom in 2019, will be performing in the city from 5 July through to 31 July.
The choir hails from Soweto (South West Township) just outside Johannesburg in South Africa and the music is in honour of the father of the rainbow nation, former president Nelson Mandela.
During their time in city, Mandela Day will be marked across the world on 18 July, which will be fitting as it was Coventry’s Jerry Dammers who penned the track Nelson Mandela song, performed by The Special AKA and which became an anthem across the world during Mandela’s time in a South African prison.
The 16-piece choir will perform a range of rousing freedom songs in a joyous and uplifting set that includes Amazing Grace and a spine-tingling version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah.
The Soweto Gospel Choir – which has been spreading musical joy across two decades, performing with the likes of U2, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Robert Plant, Celine Dion, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Josh Groban – is presented by Andrew Kay.
Andrew said: “The Soweto Gospel Choir members are thrilled to tour the UK after so many years of absence.
“The group continues to inspire fans worldwide but the reaction we get from audiences in the UK is unforgettable. We hope our uplifting message of hope, faith and joy reaches audiences new and old on this special return visit as we celebrate the legacy of the great Nelson Mandela.”
William Burdett-Coutts, Artistic Director at Assembly Festival, said: “It promises to be a truly special show at the Assembly Festival Garden in Coventry.
“Coventry is a city of peace – but also of protest – which it showed in its support of Nelson Mandela and through the song written by Jerry Dammers.
“It is fantastic, therefore, that Coventry is welcoming the Soweto Gospel Choir this July for a feast of uplifting, joyous music from one of the world’s best-known choirs.”
Assembly Festival Garden was originally part of Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 and remains in the city until September 2022 as part of the legacy programme.
To keep up to date with all Assembly Festival Garden news and future programme announcements visit www.assemblyfestivalgarden.com. Find on social @AssemblyGardens.
For more information on the choir go to www.sowetogospelchoir.com